Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is to consider plans for a new £72m theatre and civic centre near Calverley Grounds, with the aim to open by early 2022.

The 1,200-seat theatre will be built on the council's Great Hall car park, replacing the Assembly Hall Theatre a few minutes' walk away. The venue will come with a spacious bar area (pictured).

Council leader David Jukes has predicted the theatre would outperform the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, which during its first five years brought in £120million to the area attracted 1.8million people.

Next door to that will be a civic centre, which will include a council chamber, flexible spaces, facilities for wedding. It will be built along with offices for private lease. An underground car park would be created nearby.